NACOGDOCHES — Sophomore first baseman Eric Gutierrez laced a two-out, two-run double to left in the top of the ninth inning, and Jonny Drozd worked a scoreless bottom of the frame for his second save of the season to lead No. 26 Texas Tech to a 5-4 win over Stephen F. Austin on Thursday.

It is the eighth straight victory for the Red Raiders (8-1) and their first on the road this season after starting the season with eight straight home games.

Tech trailed going into the ninth inning after the Lumberjacks (3-5) got an RBI single from third baseman Brett Thornell in the bottom of the eighth off Tech right-handed reliever Nick Pettus, who was making his season debut.

Tied at three going into the inning, the Lumberjacks got a double from left fielder Kyle Thornell to start the rally. Pettus then hit Nick Ramos before Brett Thornell’s single put SFA up 4-3.

Freshman left-hander Ty Damron (1-0) came in to get the final out of the inning on a strikeout with the bases loaded, preventing further damage and setting Tech up for the win.

Tech’s rally in the ninth started with back-to-back one-out singles by Zach Davis and Bryant Burleson off SFA reliever Tyler Weidenfeld (1-1). After a Barrios pop-up, Gutierrez ripped a shot to left, scoring both runs and putting Tech up 5-4.

Drozd came on in the bottom of the inning and got two quick outs. A Zach Marberry single and a walk by Kyle Thornell put the tying run in scoring position, but Drozd finished off the save and the Tech win by getting Ramos to ground back to the mound to end the game.

SFA took the first lead of the game with a pair of runs in the first off Tech starter Johnathon Tripp on an RBI single by Joseph Ortiz and a bases-loaded walk to Ramos.

But Tech counted with two runs in the top of the third on a two-run home run by senior catcher Mason Randolph, his first of the season.

Tech took a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by freshman designated hitter Matt Broadbent. The Lumberjacks counted with a run in the bottom of the frame, also on a sacrifice fly by Brett Thornell.

The Red Raiders continue their road swing with the opener of the Houston College Classic today at 12:05 p.m. against the Houston Cougars (7-0) at Minute Maid Park.